Opera North Youth Chorus

The Opera North Youth Chorus (ONYC) gives young people aged 16–20 the skills and experience to become well-rounded performers.

As well as developing their singing voices and musicianship skills with dedicated vocal leaders in weekly sessions, members work with professional directors and movement specialists to develop skills in drama and stagecraft.

The Youth Chorus explores music from a range of genres, performing in exciting concerts locally and nationally, often alongside the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North and other professionals. Residential courses and tours are a regular part of the experience when they work with teams of experienced artists to stage full productions. Recent performances have included ‘Down in the Valley’ at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, ‘Dr Ferret’s Bad Medicine Roadshow’ at the Buxton Fringe Festival, the Tête à Tête Festival in London and ‘Pirates Revisited’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Youth Chorus has devised several new works, working with established composers and librettists.

Entry is by audition. Singers joining the Youth Chorus may well have considerable experience vocally and dramatically and be comfortable in a staged setting, but we are looking for potential and welcome singers of all levels of experience and welcome all to apply.

Price

£65 per term. Bursaries available

Venue

Howard Opera Centre

Times
Every Wednesday between 6.45pm and 9pm during term time

Auditions
The next round will take place on Wednesday 25 Oct and 8 November, 6.45-9pm, at the Howard Opera Centre in Leeds.
Apply to audition before 20 October.

Any questions?
Please contact youthcompany@operanorth.co.uk

How to become a member

Step 1: Book your place

Let us know that you are interested in auditioning by following the ‘Register an interest’ button above and filling in your details. The deadline to register an interest is the end of April for a September start.

Step 2: Hear about the audition process

At the beginning of May, we will be in touch with all the details about the audition process. We usually ask candidates to send a video of them singing a song they love and to read a text we have selected. We will then invite them to meet in person for an informal audition.

Step 3: Complete a registration form

Successful candidates will be invited to fill in a registration form and to join the Youth Chorus weekly rehearsals.

We welcome applications from young people aged 16 to 20. You might already be a confident singer and have experience of performing on stage, but we are looking for potential and welcome singers of all levels of experience to apply.

Yes. We want to ensure that costs do not create a barrier to taking part and are able to offer financial assistance to those who wouldn’t be able to join without support. Please get in touch to see if you are eligible for a bursary place.